In a game that will be remembered for the point total or lack-there-of, the New England Patriots continued their two-decade-long dynasty behind a gritty defensive performance and a stellar game from wide receiver Julian Edelman.
The Patriots edged the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in what ended up being the lowest scoring Super Bowl in history. Tom Brady earned his sixth Super Bowl ring in doing so, but despite the victory, he didn’t start out the game on the best foot.
On the first drive of the game, Brady threw a pass that was batted in the air before being intercepted by the Rams’ Cory Littleton. The Rams were unable to convert the turnover into points, which ended up being a theme for the Rams’ offense throughout the night.
First pass of the game.. PICKED ?
Rams take over pic.twitter.com/PgJh3jIPAJ
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) February 3, 2019
The first quarter ended scoreless after several empty possessions and a missed field goal by Pats’ kicker Stephen Gostkowski. It wasn’t until 10:29 left in the 2nd before Gostkowski knocked in a 42-yard field goal to make the score 3-0. The drive was highlighted by a 25-yard completion from Brady to Julian Edelman.
The first half ended by the same score of 3-0, seeing the Rams punt it six times.
The third quarter began with the two teams sharing four straight drives ending in punts. Notably, Rams’ punter Johnny Hekker’s eighth punt of the game went 65 yards, a new Super Bowl record.
Finally, the Rams got on the board with 2:11 left in the 3rd thanks to a 53-yard field goal by Rams’ kicker Greg Zuerlein. The kick was the longest field goal in the last 15 Super Bowls.
the 4th quarter began with a score of 3-3, the first time in Super Bowl history a fourth quarter began without a touchdown.
At long last, a touchdown came midway through the fourth quarter. Tom Brady finally looked himself hooking up with tight end Rob Gronkowski twice in the drive, the bigger being a 29-yard reception that put the Patriots at the two-yard line. It was the first time all night either team made it into the red zone. Running back Sony Michel punched a two-yard touchdown shortly after to make it a 10-3 game. It would be the only touchdown of the game.
Sony Michel with the first TD of the game to give the Pats the lead pic.twitter.com/DfNGbLee41
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) February 4, 2019
The Rams, however, were not done yet. Quarterback Jared Goff led the Rams down the field to at least threaten to tie the game. It was not meant to be. On a 2nd down from the Patriots’ 27, Goff, under duress, threw an errant pass ultimately intercepted by Patriots’ cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
The Patriots took over there and promptly drove the field, milking clock, before settling for a Gostkowski 41-yard field goal with 1:12 left in the game.
Without any timeouts, the Rams were simply out of time resulting in a 13-3 New England victory.
#Patriots head coach Bill Belichick:
"Everybody counted us out from the beginning of the season… We're still here"
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) February 4, 2019
Edelman was named the game’s MVP catching 10 passes for 141 yards. Brady, who has already committed to playing next season, went 21-35 for 262 yards and one interception. It wasn’t a great a performance, but Brady did enough to get the job done.
Bill Belichick and the Pats’ won their sixth Super Bowl total, tying the Pittsburgh Steelers for most all time.
For a season highlighted by high-powered offenses, the year ends with an ironic low-scoring game, dominated by one of the most consistent teams in the history of pro sports. Although the league may be moving in a more offensive-centric direction, the Patriots proved tonight that some things never change.
